Freetown Begins Air Quality Monitoring Rollout with First Sensor Installed at SLBC Compound

A major step toward improved environmental health management was recorded in Freetown on Friday morning as authorities installed the first of 12 air quality monitoring devices at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) compound.

The installation forms part of a citywide initiative designed to measure and track pollution levels in real time, providing data on airborne contaminants across key locations in the capital once the system is fully deployed.

The project comes amid growing concerns over urban air pollution in Freetown, driven by vehicle emissions, waste burning, and widespread reliance on diesel generators for electricity.

When fully operational, the 12 monitoring stations will generate continuous data to help authorities and the public better understand pollution patterns and identify periods of high environmental risk. Environmental specialists say the system is expected to close a long-standing data gap that has limited effective air quality management and policy response.

An official associated with the initiative described the rollout as a shift toward evidence-based environmental governance, stating that “we cannot manage what we cannot measure,” underscoring the importance of accurate data in addressing urban pollution challenges.

Beyond the technical development, stakeholders are also calling for broader public cooperation in improving air quality across the capital. Residents are being encouraged to rely on FCC-approved waste management services to reduce open burning of refuse, which remains a major contributor to air pollution.

Institutions have also been urged to play their part. The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) is being encouraged to strengthen enforcement of vehicle roadworthiness standards to reduce harmful emissions from poorly maintained engines.

Meanwhile, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has been called upon to improve and stabilise electricity supply, a move that could reduce dependence on diesel generators widely used in homes and businesses.

Stakeholders emphasize that air quality is directly linked to public health, particularly respiratory conditions that are increasingly reported in urban communities.

For many residents, the initiative represents a hopeful step toward cleaner and healthier living conditions in a city where dust, smoke, and smog have become part of daily life. The remaining 11 monitoring devices are expected to be installed in strategic locations across Freetown in the coming weeks, paving the way for a more data-driven approach to tackling air pollution in Sierra Leone’s capital.